Elderly man airlifted to safety from Shannon Estuary

The man became stranded after poor weather conditions stranded his yacht.

Cian Murray

An elderly man had to be rescued in Co Clare last night, after his yacht got into difficulty in the Shannon Estuary.

Windy conditions caused his boat to crash into the rocks near Kildysart in Co Clare.

The man climbed onto a nearby small island for safety.  The emergency service were contacted at approximately 11:20pm, however the Coast Guard's lifeboats could not access him due to stormy conditions.The rescue helicopter was then sent to the scene and the man was brought to safety just after midnight.

He was brought to Limerick University Hospital suffering from hypothermia.